Mediocrity is a hand-rail. Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes by Baron de Montesquieu More Quotes From Baron de Montesquieu If I knew something that would serve my country but would harm mankind, I would never reveal it; for I am a citizen of humanity first and by necessity, and a citizen of France second, and only by accident Baron de Montesquieu patriotismhumanitycountry What orators lack in depth they make up for in length. Baron de Montesquieu public-speakingphilosophicaldepth Democracy is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is corrupted, but likewise when they fall into a spirit of extreme equality. Baron de Montesquieu democracyspiritfall But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go. Baron de Montesquieu abuseauthoritymen The less men think, the more they talk. Baron de Montesquieu philosophicalmenthinking There are countries where a man is worth nothing; there are others where he is worth less than nothing. Baron de Montesquieu mencountry To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wise. Baron de Montesquieu wisesuccesslooks In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing. Baron de Montesquieu republicanpoliticsmen The less luxury there is in a republic, the more it is perfect. Baron de Montesquieu republicluxuryperfect Political liberty in a citizen is that tranquillity of spirit which comes from the opinion each one has of his security, and in order for him to have this liberty the government must be such that one citizen cannot fear another citizen. Baron de Montesquieu politicalgovernmentorder ...when the laws have ceased to be executed, as this can only come from the corruption of the republic, the state is already lost. Baron de Montesquieu republiccorruptionlaw The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy. Baron de Montesquieu apathydemocracywisdom There is no nation so powerful, as the one that obeys its laws not from principals of fear or reason, but from passion. Baron de Montesquieu passionpowerfullaw There are three species of government: republican, monarchical, and despotic. Baron de Montesquieu gamblingthreegovernment There are only two cases in which war is just: first, in order to resist the aggression of an enemy, and second, in order to help an ally who has been attacked. Baron de Montesquieu wartwoorder Countries are well cultivated, not as they are fertile, but as they are free. Baron de Montesquieu wellsfreedomcountry There is something in animals beside the power of motion. They are not machines; they feel. Baron de Montesquieu compassionpoweranimal A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century. Baron de Montesquieu libertyfreedommissing Experience constantly proves that every man who has power is impelled to abuse it; he goes on till he is pulled up by some limits. Who would say it! virtue even has need of limits. Baron de Montesquieu abusepowermen Ever since the invention of gunpowder.. I continually tremble lest men should, in the end, uncover some secret which would provide a short way of abolishing mankind, of annihilating peoples and nations in their entirety. Baron de Montesquieu gunpowdersecretmen
